Should satisfy Imran
As much as it seemed, for the longest time, that Nawaz would never green-light a process that might find fault with his ‘heavy mandate’ government, the Judicial Commission is finally a reality. And it’s pretty much what Imran asked for; the chief justice is heading the Commission and it has a 45-day cutoff time. While it is difficult to understand the government’s unending delaying tactics if it had to come round to the agreement at the end of the day, it is now for Imran to hold his politics of agitation, at least till the Commission comes out with its verdict.
The PTI chief seems following a contradictory strategy that makes little sense, especially in light of the Commission. On the one hand he has decided to allow party members back to the National Assembly. Yet on the other he continues to call the House illegitimate; precisely because of the suspect vote. However, with the Commission now in operation, it would be wise if the PTI chief kept such thoughts to himself, at least for a little over a month, while the investigation is completed. He should, instead, play a constructive role within the system, even if he restricts himself to constructive criticism.
Imran’s trip to Karachi has also been revealing. MQM stepped back a bit – at least the leadership did – but it was soon back to scuffles and confrontation. Perhaps it would have been better to leverage whatever little goodwill was on display, instead of complaining about things that kept going wrong. There is no denying that PTI’s pressure, and its increasing popularity, played no small role in both pushing the Judicial Commission through and putting MQM on the back foot. But now its boasts and threats should make way for politics of maturity. The claim of returning Karachi to its glorious past, for example, would have been more credible if the party had utilised its time in restoring similar glory in KP instead of committing itself to bringing down the government. It is hoped that the party will take the Assembly more seriously this time and let its actions speak louder than words.
